My Little Lotus 🌸 (LMK)

Chapter 2: Ne Zha

      That mortal was quite pleasant. Ne Zha thought. He frowned at the thought of having to interrogate Monkey King, though. "Why can't that monkey not cause trouble, at least once!" He muttered. When he entered a room, there was Monkey King, lounging on a small hammock he must have summoned up with his hair. "Hey! Ne Zha! What's up?" He asked, as casual as can be. "I'm not here to chat, Wukong." Ne Zha stated. "Of course not, your always straight to business." the monkey sighed. "How's the girl?" "Y/n is fine. She is just confused. She has no clue how she got here." Ne Zha answered. "But that's not why I'm here. Why are you here? What trouble were you planning to cause, this time?"

        "Geeze! A bit accusatory, don't you think? I just wanted to figure out the strange secret this realm has! Disappearing once a century! I mean, what's not strange about that!" Wukong admitted. "Seriously? I expected more from you Wukong." Ne Zha stated, disappointed. "While I'm here... Maybe you can tell me the secret." Wukong prodded. Ne Zha laughed, mockingly "As if I would tell you the Celestial Realms biggest secret!" "Wait, biggest secret?" Wukong grinned mischievously. Ne Zha narrowed his eyes at the Monkey King. "You will be held here until things are straightened out. Do not try to escape, or it won't go well with you." Ne Zha warned/threatened.

     Once Ne Zha left Wukong, the monkey grinned. "Biggest secret, huh? Clearly you haven't met me in you think I'm going to listen." He muttered, grinning still. He looked around the room and saw a itty-bitty, teeny-tiny hole in the wall, perfect for his escape. So he shrunk down, and escaped through that hole. On the other side was a large room, or maybe it was large because he was small. He grew to his normal size. Yeah, no. This room was large. Okay, now to find a window. He turned his head to look around, and saw you sitting against a wall, legs up by your chest, eyes closed, and taking slow, deep breaths. He walked over to check on you. Not that he didn't trust Ne Zha, he just wanted to see for himself. He sat down beside you.

     "Hey! You okay?" He asked you. You turned your head to him, startled. "Wha- what are you doing here? How'd you get in here?" You asked him. "Eh. Trying to get out, and fill my curiosity." He answered casually. He looked at you "You didn't answer my question, though." "O- oh. I- I guess I'm fine. Just- confused?" You said. "Confused about what?" the King asked. "Just. I don't know. Things? " "Like~ what?" He prodded. "Uh... I don't really want to say. Especially to a stranger." You told him, reminding both him and yourself that you barely knew him.

      "Oh!" Wukong realized. "Well, I'm Sun Wukong. Self proclaimed Great Sage equal to heaven. Coolest guy ever!" He boasted. You laughed. "Would it be wrong to assume you may be one of the biggest jokers of all time?" You asked. "Pfft. One of? I am the biggest joker and prankster of all time!" He announced proudly. You laughed again. He smiled. There was something about your laugh that seemed mesmerizing to him. He liked it.

      Outside the door, Ne Zha heard your laughter. He froze. Why is she laughing? Who is in there with her? Her laugh is so beautiful. It almost sounds like... What am I thinking?! He crept up to the door to listen. He heard Wukong boasting about himself, but- he was being goofy? He was joking around and making you laugh. He sighed when you laughed, then shook his head. He decided to knock.

       When he knocked, the room quieted. He opened the door. "How are you, Y/n?" He asked when he entered. "Doing better." You answered. "Good. But I thought I heard someone else in here. Was there someone else in here?" He asked casually. You nodded. "The monkey from earlier. He somehow snuck in, but I don't know where he is now." You answered with a smile. Ne Zha froze when he saw your smile. It reminded him of someone, from a long time ago.

      Unaware to you and Ne Zha, Monkey King was disguised as an ant on the floor. He noticed Ne Zha's face, and almost laughed. It surprised the Monkey King to see that face on him! I haven't seen that face on him in forever! It's almost like he thinks Y/n looks like-! He froze too. He could see it now. It was mind boggling! You looked so similar! Were you perhaps the reincarnate?

       "Ne Zha? Are you okay?" You asked. The young man shook his head, then looked at you, as if nothing happened. "Yes, just... Nothing. Nothing of your concern." Ne Zha stated. You didn't believe him, though. "Would you, perhaps, like a tour of the Celestial gardens?" He offered. You blinked. Didn't he say I wasn't allowed to leave this room not that long ago? You nodded, "S-sure." He walked over to the door and waited for you. You stood up and walked over.

       He lead you down the mazes of halls until you reached a large door with beautiful florals engraved on its gold plated frame. You gasped at it's tints of pinks, greens, and blues to each flower and bloom. Ne Zha smiled, then opened the door.
You gasped again at the sight before you.